Median rent is 4% lower in Daytona Beach ($1,328/mo vs $1,382/mo). Buying is cheaper in Bethlehem, where the median home runs $260,400 versus $287,700. Households earn more in Bethlehem ($68,879 vs $52,058 a year). Taken together, Bethlehem is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.9 against 99.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Bethlehem, PA.
City A
Bethlehem, PA
City B
Daytona Beach, FL
How much would you need to earn in Daytona Beach, FL to maintain your standard of living from Bethlehem, PA?
Equivalent salary in Daytona Beach, FL
$75,199
You'd need $199 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Bethlehem
Pennsylvania
Daytona Beach
Florida
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,382/mo in Bethlehem and $1,328/mo in Daytona Beach. Median home values are within 9% of each other: $260,400 in Bethlehem and $287,700 in Daytona Beach.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Bethlehem
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Daytona Beach
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Bethlehem if you prioritize higher median household income ($68,879/yr).
Is Bethlehem cheaper than Daytona Beach?
Bethlehem is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.9 versus 99.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Bethlehem.
How much is rent in Bethlehem vs Daytona Beach?
Median rent is $1,382/mo in Bethlehem, PA and $1,328/mo in Daytona Beach, FL. Daytona Beach, FL has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Bethlehem or Daytona Beach?
Median household income is $68,879 in Bethlehem, PA and $52,058 in Daytona Beach, FL. Bethlehem, PA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Bethlehem or Daytona Beach?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Daytona Beach to match my Bethlehem income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Bethlehem, PA is equivalent to roughly $100,265 in Daytona Beach, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
